tobys-brain

Thanks! I truly appreciate the kind words. I don't know that I'm in any position to be giving tips or advice to anyone, but my default advice would simply be to keep drawing. I stopped drawing for about 2 years after college due to depression and being directionless. I started figuring things out, then I became a stay-at-home dad and didn't get in the studio for about 10 years. I regret the lost time developing my skills and building a career, but I think those years allowed my brain to let go of some of the creative blocks I had (I still have tons of other self-imposed roadblocks). Now, I have more ideas and projects I want to work on than I can probably get to in this lifetime. Since getting back in the studio 7 or 8 years ago, the thing that has helped me build and keep momentum is having something to focus on, even if it's not a big project. Those drawing prompt things (like Inktober) are great for that. If nothing else, do that every day and not only will skills improve whether you're thinking about it or not, but you start to feel good as that pile of art starts growing, which compels you to make even more. I'd also suggest drawing from life a lot. Observe the world around you constantly, the way light hits objects, the way things look when they are far away or up close, the different textures of things, shapes, volumes, etc. The last advice I think I'd give is the one that has really kicked things up a notch for me: start logging your drawing hours if you don't already. I use One Note on my phone for just about everything, so I keep a studio log. I write the date, the time I start working, the time I stop, and what I worked on. I then total the hours up at the end of the day, and recently at the end of each week. I'm now competing with myself to spend more time working, and identifying better where I waste my time.

So those would be my suggestions! Thanks again for the kind words and good luck!